k'F^--^^*<^ 



E =— — — - 
C4^ ORATION 



DELIVERED BEFOKE THE 



CINCINNATI, AND THE 76 



JULY 4, 185 7 



By FLEETWOOD LANNEAU, 

A Member of the '76 A.ssocialion. 



CHARLESTON: 

STEAM POWER PRESS OF WALKER, EVANS AND CO. 

No. 3 Broad Street. 

1857. 




ll()()k_ 



Cv^ 



SMITIISOMAX i)i:i'().sny 



ORATION 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE 



CINCINNATI, AND. THE 76 

^SSOCIA.TION , 



JULY 4, 185 7 



By FLEETWOOD LANNEAU, 

A Member of the '76 Association. 



CHARLESTON: 

STEAM POWER-PRESSES OF WALKER, EVANS Jj CO. 
No. 3 Broad-street. 

1857. 



E^9U 






OR^TION^. 



Messrs. Presidents and Gentlemen 

of the Cincinnati^ and '76 Association : 

JSTo event in the history of our country is invested with 
greater interest, tlian that which today we celebrate. 

The 4th of July, 17T6, was indeed the natal day of freedom ! 
It is our pleasing duty again to commemorate it ; again to 
review the history of our country : to trace her onward course 
from the period when, in infancy, she set out upon the journey, 
and in imagination to follow her, as with gigantic strides, she 
presses on, and far outstripping the wondering nations of the 
earth, fulfils her glorious destiny. 

The history of our country is a familiar theme to all who 
hear me. Who in this assembly has not traced it from the 
period when the Pilgrim fathers landed upon Plymouth Rock, 
and laid the foundation of this great republic ! 

But assembled as we are, to celebrate the starting point in 
that history, it becomes us to recur to its thrilling incidents and 
to revive its pleasing recollections. 

There was a period when the footsteps of our race were yet 
to be imprinted on the soil we occupy. — When the native 
Indian proudly stood upon these sunny shores, and as he 
looked out upon the boundless ocean stretching far away to- 
wards the rising sun, imagined not that the time was coming, 
when, upon its treacherous bosom, would be conveyed the 
master spirits, into whose hands his rich possessions were to 
be transferred. 

This garden spot was then the happy abode of the indige- 
nous race who claimed it as their own. Its forests re-echoed 
with joyous shouts as they bounded onward in the chase, or 
reverberated with the death yell, or the song, as they reveled 
in the tortures of vanquished foes. 



There was a period when no sound was heard upon IS'ew- 
England's rocky shores, save the howling of the wintry blast, 
as it swept madly by, or the angry dash of the storm tossed 
wave, as it lashed with fury that ice bound coast. 

The step of the Pilgrim Fathers was yet to be planted upon 
that rugged spot But the time was coming when that little 
l)and should enter upon a glorious mission. 

Let us gratefully remember them this day, and as we again 
assemble around the altar which patriotism erects, forget not 
the dangers which they encountered during that dark period 
of American history. 

The long interval which passed ere the memorable rupture 
with the mother country occurred, was distinguished by the 
infliction of re])eated wrongs heaped upon the colonies. But 
it is not our purpose to revive the feelings of hostility which 
then existed, and which finally led to the declaration of Inde- 
pendence. The participants in that struggle liave passed 
away forever. The wounds which were inflicted then, have 
long since been healed, and with Great Britain we are happily 
at peace, in our relatiions to some extent, mutually dependent ; 
and may we not express the hope, that the day is far distant 
when naught but generous rivalry shall exist for tlie promo- 
tion of mutual national prosperity. 

With her we are identifled by many and strong associations. 
The blood of her sons flows even here to day, in the veins of 
some whom we address ; and though she drew too closely 
around the early settlers the cord which finally they severed, 
it was doubtless designed, that thus should they be prepared 
for the accomplishment of the great work which has since so 
successfully been performed, and thus were the patriot fathers 
to become inured to hardships, and familiarized to dangers, 
which might well have appalled the stoutest hearts and dis- 
mayed the most courageous. 

The sanguinary and protracted war of the Revolution left the 
young republic free from the shackles with which she had 
been bound. The long night of the revolution was ended, 
and the day spring of freedom gave promise of the brilliant 
meridian which she has since so rapidly attained. 



Then was America free ! Free to assume the reins of self- 
government. Free to enter upon the glorious career which 
invitingly opened up before her. And then was that bond of 
Federal Union framed, upon the faithful performance of which 
the fate of this great nation is fearfully poised. A trust involv- 
ing the happiness of millions was then committed to the sages 
of the revolution. But they were competent to the discharge 
of the sacred obligation. With proi)hetic vision they scanned 
the distant future, and with peculiar care guarded in the con- 
stitution which was then adopted, the equal rights of each 
sovereign State. Upon the platform of that sacred document, 
we of the South have ever stood — are yet prepared to stand. 

Well for the stability of this Union, did the spirit of '76 
continue to sway our national councils. The billows of trea- 
cherous fanaticism would then vainly beat against the magna 
charta of our liberties ! Then would a bond of union connect 
the North and the South that would never be dissevered. 
Then would we celebrate as in days gone by, the anniversary 
of Independence day. May the demon of abolition be anni- 
hilated which has entered our once happy Eden ; at first with 
stealthy step, but now with rampant strides, overleaping 
barner after barrier, threatening the demolition of the super- 
structure itself, and the final extinguishment of the light of 
this Union. Then would unavailing anguish announce that 
the fatal blow was dealt, and the ruin consummated by parri- 
cidal hands. 

We desire not to enter upon the discussion of our domestic 
political relations. Yet are we not reminded that dark clouds 
have lowered upon our political horizon, and even yet threaten 
to obscure its brightness ? What though they have been dis- 
persed ere the storm flood burst upon it ? The lightning flash 
may again glare upon that horizon, and the distant thunder 
again herald the return of the desolating storm which may 
o'erwhelm us in its fury. 

But let us pass the exciting topic by, on this our natal day, 
and forgetting the sectional diff'erences which unhappily exist, 
leave the result in the hands of Him to whom in the day of 
trouble we will confidently refer our cause, as just! and until 



that issue be forced upon us, let us cherish the happy institu- 
tions of our Union. A Union which has accomplished for the 
elevation of our race, more than all the dynasties of earth 
combined. A Union, eliciting at once the wonder^ the envy^ 
the admiration of the world. 

And if that hour of final dissolution comes, then let us 
claim as our portion the Star Spangled Banner, which has 
thus far been unfurled only to add fresh lustre to our glory 
and renown. 

And should the line be drawn which shall diminish the 
number of its stars and obscure the beauty of its stripes, then 
will we adopt it as our own^ rescue it from apostate hands, and 
displaying it high in this our Southern clime, replace with 
new-born States those obliterated stars, and re-produce its 
gorgeous stripes, and in renovated beauty, re-dedicate it to a 
more enduring Southern Union ! Yes, 

We will cherish our flag- and preserve it from shame, 

Protect it from blemish or stain; 

We will cherish our flag for it heralds a name 

Which despots could never, no never defame, 

Its glory no never attain. 

Yes ! flag of our country, we will cherish thy fame. 

Thy stars and thy stripes will revere. 

Long, long may they wave, be thy beauty the same ; 

To nations far distant, go freedom proclaim, 

Glad tidings of liberty bear. 

Till then, we will recur with pride to the valor of our sires, 
and transmit to those who shall succeed us, the rich legacy of 
their fame. And while we point to deeds of daring, ac- 
complished by revolutionary heroes in every section of our 
wide spread countrj^, let us more prominently advert to those 
which distinguished our own Carolina. 

At Lexington and Bunker Hill, the opening scenes in the 
great drama of the Revolution were enacted. South- Carolina 
with impetuous haste, re-echoed the battle cry, engaged the 
enemy in far superior force, and as she had been among the 
first to buckle on her armor, so was she the first to achieve a 
brilliant victory. 

Proud to Carolinians, are the recollections of the battle on 
yonder island fought. No lofty monument has been construct- 



ed to mark that revolutionary spot: to remind the passing 
stranger that the first victory of that memorable war was there 
gallantly won, and that there the mistress of the ocean was 
first taught that her undisputed sway had terminated, and 
that Young America now claimed the sceptre from her grasp ! 
But we can point to the Star Spangled Banner, a noble sub- 
stitute, glittering with untarnished lustre o'er the site where 
stood the rudely constructed Fort Sullivan. 

The Star Spangled Banner, there proudly it shines, 

As gracefully streaming in air, 
With the breeze from the ocean it softly entwines, 
And playfully waving its beautiful lines. 

Reposes triumphantly there. 

Many were the battles lost and won, ere liberty was ob- 
tained. During protracted hostilities, prosecuted with all the 
energy of a powerful enemy, the blood of thousands was free- 
ly spilt, and upon the altars of liberty victims were freely 
offered. No State suffered more; none more ready than 
Carolina to bear a portion of the costly sacrifice. From the 
commencement of the war, she had well performed her part ; 
and the pagesof her history glitter with the record of achieve- 
ments, and are adorned with names that will never be forgot- 
ten while the genius of liberty presides over the institutions of 
our country. Had the result of that battle been adverse, the 
declaration of independence may never have accomplished its 
glorious mission. To South-Carolina, defeat would have been 
disastrous indeed. The fires of liberty so brightly burning 
then, may have been extinguished, never to have been rekin- 
dled ; and the ardent aspirations of patriotism may have been 
blasted forever. But victory perched upon the crescent ban- 
ner, and its thrilling shout nerved for future conquests the 
heroes of that early battle. They realized what could be 
accomplished in a cause so sacred, and though for a time o'er- 
whelmed by discouraging reverses, with liberty in prospect 
they ofttimes rallied, and after many hard fought battles, 
secured the prize and y^ on perpetual freedom. 

America was never more to wear the yoke of bondage ; 
never to be subject to kingly power. Her future rulers were 



to be the chosen of her sons, and the voice of millions to be- 
stow the feceptre ! Happy America ! Eighty-one years have 
passed since then, and the problem of the capacity of man for 
6'g^-government has been fnlly solved. But sad is the reflec- 
tion, that no barrier has been erected more fatal to the future 
attainments of our country, than that wliich false philanthropy 
has reared, to mar its symmetrical proportions, and shake to 
its foundations the liappiest form of government witli which 
man has yet been blessed. 

As a nation, we have enjoyed almost uninterrupted peace 
and prosperity. From the small beginning of thirteen con- 
federated States, witness their rapid increase. Compare her 
with the older nations of the world, and let the pen of the 
historian clironicle lier unparalleled success. Behold her shel- 
tering in grateful security the oppressed of evfiry clime and 
nation ; nay, sending to starving ones the bread of life, which 
she spares from her rich abundance. Her commerce knows 
no boundary. No ocean so remote as not to have borne upon 
its bosom our noble ships, as with snowy pinions wnde-spread 
to catch tiie breeze, or with the rushing speed of yet more 
powerful steam, they plough the hidden pathway of the mighty 
deep. Her railroads know no terminus. Upon their endless 
tracks the fiery locomotive dashes on — annihilating time and 
space — as now on giddy heights it rushes onward in its course, 
and then through darkened tunnels pierces the mountain base. 
With lightning speed the magnetic telegraph transmits intelli- 
gence of weal or woe from State to State ; and finding this 
continent too contracted for its myriad lines, invades the depths 
of ocean ; startles the monsters of the mighty deep, and soon 
will bind in mystic tie the old world and the new! 

Behold the onward march of education; elevating the 
million, and shedding light and knowledge on the darkest por- 
tions of our land. See philanthropy closely following in its 
train, ameliorating the condition of the unfortunate and dis- 
tressed. Behold the charitable associations which shelter 
beneath their numerous banners the widow and the fatherless. 

Onward ! yet onward ! is the watchword of the genius of 
America. 



9 

To-day, we commemorate the anniversary of our national 
birthday. But where are tlie actors in that initiatory scene ? 
They have all long since departed. The grave hides them 
from our view, and they live not to rejoice with us in this 
retrospect of the past. One after another they have gone! 
Some lingered to depart upon the anniversary of a day which 
made their names immortal, and now not one of those, our 
honored sires, remain to tell to us the story of Independence 
Day ! But history faithfully records that deed, and thus will 
we contribute to pass it down to the millions who shall suc- 
ceed us. 

We have thus hastily referred to the warriors and the states- 
men who have earned for us our rich inheritance. Let us not 
be unmindful of the fair daughters of America who also nobly 
performed an appvopi-iate part in the days which tested the 
heroism of our sires. They, too, deserve remembrance on this 
day, with those who achieved the honors of the field. They 
ministered at the couch of the wounded, soothed their agoniz- 
ing tortures, and gently smoothed, as only woman's hand can 
do, the pillow of the dying patriot. The history of the times 
abounds with incidents in which they bore a conspicuous part; 
and the thrilling scenes through which they also passed, tes- 
tify that their love of country was as pure as that which woman 
only can bestow upon the worthy object of her heart's affec- 
tions. The names of many adorn the page of history, and 
their devotion to the cause of liberty is deeply engraved upon 
the hearts of a grateful posterity. May we not add that the 
spirit which gave to battle and to death the fathers and the 
sons of the Revolution, the hands which then bestowed the 
banners under which they should rally to conquer or to die, 
would again distinguish the daughters of the matrons of the 
revolution. And should the period unhappily arrive when 
our sons shall be summoned to the battle-field, the approving 
smile of beauty will again incite to victory ! 

The scroll upon which is inscribed the names of the heroes 
of '76 glitters with the record of deeds accomplished in every 
section of our wide-spread Union, and we should be wanting 
in fidelity to the cause of patriotism did we not remember 



10 

them this day. The archives of our country's history radiates 
■with the glory of its warriors; but brightest upon that scroll is 
inscribed the name of one, "first in war, first in peace, first in 
the hearts of his countrymen." The name of Washington ! 
It stands alone in its glory. It is adorned with a lustre that 
will never be dimmed ; and while this day is celebrated it 
will never be forgotten. And as we thus refer to him whose 
memory is embalmed in the afi'ections of a nation, may we not 
appropriately advert to the noble eff'ort which is being made 
to guard from desecration the hallowed spot where the remains 
of the immortal Washington repose. On this national jubilee, 
the eloquence of gifted orators is enlisted in behalf of the 
patriotic enterprize. An appeal for Mount Vernon vibrates 
to-day upon the hearts of our countrymen, to which they will 
nobly respond. All honor to the "Southern Matron" who con- 
ceived the thought, and success to the worthy project. Nor 
can we forget in this connection the efforts of the fair daugh- 
ters of the Palmetto State to rear to the memory of our own 
Calhoun a monument, that shall tell to those who come after 
us that it guards the sleeping dust of a patriot, whom in life it 
was our delight to honor, and whose memory will be revered 
by Southern hearts while value attaches to the virtues which 
so preeminently distinguished him as the " Model Statesman." 
Many were the warriors which the war of the Eevolution 
produced ; but may we not point with pride to the long line 
of distinguished statesmen who have adorned our subsequent 
history ? And are we not reminded that they too pass away ? 
Let us pause while we pay a tribute of respect to the memory 
of the distinguished sons of Carolina. The gallant Brooks — 
need we bring him to your remembrance ? He who so nobly 
represented the Palmetto State upon the battle-fields of Mex- 
ico, and who so recently vindicated her honor in the halls of 
Congress, he is numbered with the dead. In the meridian of 
life, and in the zenith of usefulness he was suddenly called 
away forever. And what tribute shall we render to the mem- 
ory of our gifted, venerable Butler. He who so lately liv^d 
to command the admiration and the respect of all. A shining 
light has been put out. A champion of Southern rights lies 



11 

low in death. But the severity of the blow is allevicated by 
the reflection that he has gone down to the grave full of years, 
and with accumulated honors. And yet another has been 
added to the list of our illustrious dead. Another distin- 
guished statesman has been removed by death. The venera- 
ble Cheves is gathered to his fathers; and yonder cemetery 
hath been opened to receive all that remains of him. But he 
departed in ripe old age, and when the " frosts of many win- 
ters " had settled upon his brow. The deeds of a long, a use- 
ful, and honorable life, survive the termination of his earthly 
course ; and his name is added to the rapidly increasing list of 
departed worthies. 



Gentlemen of the Cincinnati : 

An unexpected honor has been conferred upon him who has 
this day attempted to address you. Memory has been busy 
with the past, as he endeavored to discharge the duty which 
has been so imperfectly performed. The scenes of boyhood 
have been brought vividly to view, and the venerable familiar 
forms of many, whom in early life he was accustomed to see 
take part in your annual celebrations, have, in imagination, 
been present with you on this occasion. It is your peculiar 
province to number on your list of membership the descen- 
dants of the officers ot the revolution. Nor is it less a distin- 
guishing feature of your association, that provision is made for 
the unfortunate and the distressed. It is a grateful service ; a 
pleasing duty; yet one not unmingled with sadness, in the 
thought that with revolving years your numbers must be dimin- 
ished. The older members of your Society are fast disappear- 
ing, and their places are being filled by others, who in turn 
are becoming now its seniors. 

Allow me to congratulate you upon the accession of youthful 
members to your ranks, and to indulge the hope that when 
vacancies do occur, that the sons of revolutionary patriots will 
not be found wanting to supply them. 



Gentlemen of the '76 Association : 

May I not be permitted also to congratulate yon, on the 
prosperity which is so apparent on this pleasing anniversary. 
Long may it be continued, and long in your turn may the 
silent yet speaking figures which are inscribed upon that 
stand, awaken grateful recollections of an era to which they 
so emphatically refer. And far distant be the day, when the 
annual celebrations of this Association shall be remembered 
only as a legend of the past. 

It is yours to perpetuate, with kindred Associations, a memo- 
rable day in the history, not only of our country, but of the 
world. Be yours the grateful, pleasing duty to link with the 
achievements which have followed, and are closely identified 
with it, those which also entitle our own Carolina to a high 
position on the pf.ges of that history. And may increasing de- 
votion to her and her future fame, be as prominently conspicu- 
ous in after celebrations, as they have been in those which 
have preceded them. And while we may yet cherish a Union 
which as it once was^ and as it ought to he, would be a Union, 
around which the aflPections of our heart would cluster, and to 
which we would be bound by ties of endearing devotion, yet 
to our own beloved State be higher fealty given, and upon 
her be bestowed the warmest afi'ections of devoted hearts. 



Our own Carolina, of thee we will sing, 
And with i-apturous feeling-s exultingly bring 
From our hearts' deepest recess an offering of love, 
It springs from a source that is sanctioned above. 

Let others forsake thee, if such be their will. 
We'll cling to thy time honor'd usages still ; 
And never, no never recreant be, 
Our own Carolina, no never to thee. 



14 



We will not forsake thee, whate'er be thy fate, 
Nor allow in these bosoms our love to abate, 
But fondly till death, we will cherish thy name, 
A name yet unsullied, or tarnished with shame. 

Let us wear but thy name, 'twill a talisman prove, 
Should fate e'er decree that from thee we should rove ; 
Let us wear but thy name, and fearless we'll go. 
With passports more potent than kings can bestow. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



011 782 951 






.A : 



V^.c« 



^■^ 




.J^f^ i 



;^* 



^^y> 



